Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings, from beer dinners to 4/20-inspired grub:
All week long
Anniversary Specials at Peli Peli
Peli Peli—which opened its first location at Vintage Park in 2009 and has now added three more locations (Galleria, Spring Branch, Downtown)—is celebrating its eighth birthday with rotating weekly specials all month long. This week, guests can enjoy 30 percent off gift cards in-store or online. Gift cards are available at Peli Peli locations, 110 Vintage Park, 5085 Westheimer; Peli Peli Kitchen, 9090 Katy; and Peli Deli, 808 Travis.
Houston Black Restaurant Week
Houston Black Restaurant Week, benefiting local nonprofit Blue Triangle, will be running for two weeks through Sunday, April 30, with participating restaurants including Kitchen 713, Ray’s BBQ Shack and Etta’s Little Kitchen. For more details, see our full write-up on the event.
Monday, April 17
7th Annual April Fool’s Wine Dinner at Max’s Wine Dive – Washington
From 7 to 10 p.m., Max’s Wine Dive, 4720 Washington, will be offering a secretive, off-the-menu dinner in honor of April Fools. The experience is meant to be a surprise, so no details are offered on event. Prices are $65 per person and $120 for couples.
Tuesday, April 18
Wine Dinner with winemaker Merry Edwards at Brennan’s of Houston
Brennan’s of Houston, 3300 Smith, is hosting a six-course wine dinner with California winemaker Merry Edwards on Tuesday, April 18. Guests can enjoy wine-paired dishes such as tuna poke, Creole oysters and Bayou rum-glazed quail. Cost is $145 per person (plus tax and gratuity) and the dinner begins with a reception at 6:30 p.m.
CultureMap Tastemaker Awards at Asia Society Texas Center
Chef Bryan Caswell emcees this swanky event honoring the talent in Houston’s food and beverage industry. The party will be held at the Asia Society Texas Center, 1370 Southmore, from 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $55.
Wednesday, April 19
Founders Brewing Co. Beer Dinner at Hubbell & Hudson Bistro
Hubbell & Hudson Bistro, 24 Waterway, is hosting its next beer dinner at 6:30 p.m. Sip All Day IPA and Founders’ seasonal release, PC Pils, upon arrival; then enjoy a five-course dinner paired with five of Founders’ most popular ales, stouts and more. Cost is $89 per person, plus tax and gratuity. For reservations, call 281-203-5641.
Saison & Sour Style Class at Ritual
Ritual, 602 Studewood, will be hosting a special Saison & Sour Style Class with beverage director Peter Clifton from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Attendees will learn about the brewery process, flavor profiles in specific styles, learn to identify ‘off’ flavors in their beer and enjoy a tasting of various saisons and sours. All attendees will also receive a gift from a local brewery. Tickets are $20 per person.
Thursday, April 20
Crawfish & Craft Beer Garden Party at Backstreet Cafe
Backstreet Cafe, 1103 South Shepherd, continues its casual Garden Party Series with crawfish and local beer on the patio. From 5 to 7 p.m., guests can enjoy reception bites, including dirty rice beignets, smoked deviled eggs and heirloom tomato flatbread, plus two pounds of boiled crawfish, corn and potatoes and two drink tickets good for craft beer, sangria or Prosecco. Cost is $30 per person and reservations can be made at 713-521-2239.
Domaine Jean-Philippe Marchand at Bistro Provence
Bistro Provence, 13616 Memorial, will welcome one of Bourgogne’s most popular winemakers, Jean-Philippe Marchand, for an evening dinner featuring the tastes of Provence and wines from Domaine Jean-Philippe Marchand. The dinner will begin at 7 p.m. and cost per person is $110 plus tax and gratuity. Reservations require a $40 deposit via Paypal.
Saint Arnold Food and Beer Pairing Pop-Up at Conservatory
Chef Ryan Savoie of Saint Arnold will be serving up 4/20-appropriate food at this special pop-up at Conservatory, 1010 Prairie. Enjoy pairings like Raspberry AF with H-town hot chicken biscuits or 5 O’Clock Pils with falafel and jalapeño tzatziki. The pop-up begins at 7 p.m.
Saturday, April 22
Meet the Maker Wine Tasting at French Country Wines
One of Bourgogne’s most popular winemakers, Jean-Philippe Marchand, will be the guest of honor at the weekly Saturday afternoon wine tasting at French Country Wines, 2433 Bartlett. Marchand will introduce several of his Burgundy wines for tasting, all from Domaine Jean-Philippe Marchand, and there will be samples of cheese from Houston Dairymaids. The tasting is free and open to the public from noon to 6 p.m.
Sunday, April 23
Damian’s Cucina Italiana, 3011 Smith, is hosting a Meatball Brawl from 1 to 4 p.m. Guests are invited to enjoy an afternoon of wine tastings and musical entertainment, while eating their way through a lineup of innovative meatball dishes from local talent, including top area chefs Mark Holley of Holley’s Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar, Richard Kaplan of Weights & Measures and chef Alexandre Scarafile of Sud Italia. In honor of the late Frankie Mandola, the event will benefit his charity, the Texas Italian-American Sports Foundation, which raises money for scholarships for local athletes. Tickets are $55 per person and including food wine sampling.
TFAA Macaron Festival at Houston Design Center
Texan-French Alliance for the Arts invites pastry lovers and chefs to enjoy the 2017 Macaron Festival, held at the Houston Design Center, 7026 Old Katy, from 4 to 7 p.m. Attendees clad in “Provence summer chic” attire will receive a “Macaron Passport” to collect a macaron from each station and keep track of their favorites. Guests can also enjoy French cuisine and art performances. A portion of proceeds from the event will benefit TFAA’s educational and healing arts programs.
This article appears in Apr 13-19, 2017.
